African Studies Program celebrates 50 years with conference and reunion

In 1978, while completing coursework towards a Ph.D. in political science at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Linda Thomas-Greenfield received a research grant to study in Liberia.

The experience changed the course of her life and career. For the past four years, Thomas-Greenfield has served as the United States Ambassador to Liberia; she is awaiting confirmation as the director general of the U.S. Foreign Service.

In recognition of 50 years of outstanding teaching and research on Africa, Thomas-Greenfield is one of several distinguished alumni and friends coming to campus for a three-day conference and reunion. “50/Forward: A Half-Century of African Studies at Wisconsin” takes place from Friday through Sunday, April 20-22, at the Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St.

“The African Studies Program is thrilled to welcome alumni and friends to campus to celebrate Wisconsin’s long legacy of promoting the teaching and research of Africa,” says Thomas Spear, emeritus professor of history and 50/Forward conference chair. “Linda Thomas-Greenfield is a great example of the impact of the African Studies Program and the continuing exchange with Africa that informs the program’s work today.”

African Studies has been a vibrant part of the UW–Madison since 1961. In the past 50 years, more than 300 faculty and 1,000 graduate students have participated in the program. More than 15,000 people have taken the university’s basic Africa course, “Africa: An Introductory Survey,” offered every semester.

Thomas-Greenfield will speak on Friday, April 20 as part of Africa Forward. The initiative links current UW–Madison students with professionals in all fields whose careers have been inspired and enriched by their study of Africa. Along with Wisconsin native Jennifer Orrico, Thomas-Greenfield will discuss “Foreign Service and African Studies.” The talk takes place at 1:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union (TITU).

A career member of the Foreign Service for more than 30 years, Thomas-Greenfield has served in Jamaica, Nigeria, The Gambia, Kenya, Pakistan, and Switzerland. She was the 2000 recipient of the Warren Christopher Award for Outstanding Achievement in Global Affairs in recognition of her work with refugees. From 2006-2008, she served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Africa Affairs. She also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration from 2004 to 2006.

The 50/Forward program includes the following:

Friday

• History of Science Brown Bag Series: Steven Feierman, professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania, presents “Reflections on African Medical History and the History of Science.” Noon, Union South (TITU).
• Film Screening: “Recording a Revolution: A Story of Music, Religion, and Identity,” presented by Susan O’Brien. 3 p.m., Pyle Center Auditorium, 702 Langdon St.
• Reception and keynote address by Tanzanian novelist and poet Euphase Kezilahabi on “The Future of Swahili Poetry.” Introduced by Aliko Songolo, professor of African Languages and Literature and French and Italian. 5 p.m., Lee Lounge, Pyle Center.

Saturday

• A full day of presentations and discussions by leading African Studies scholars from across the many disciplines, fields, and generations that have made the African Studies Program into a top teaching and research center. Pyle Center, 8:30 a.m.-5:45 p.m.
• Art history professor Henry Drewal leads a guided tour of the Chazen Museum of Art’s new African Art Gallery, curated by Drewal himself. Chazen Museum, 12:15-2 p.m.
• Dinner of African cuisine, featuring the William A. Brown Memorial Lecture by E. J. Alagoa, Professor of History, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Alumni Lounge, Pyle Center, 6 p.m.
• Kikeh Mato and the Limanya Drum and Dance Ensemble perform traditional Guinean and Malian music and dance beats. 9 p.m., Great Hall, Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St. $10 at door.

Sunday

• Presentations continue. Pyle Center, 9:00 — 10:45 a.m.
• Plenary Session: A Conversation on the Future of African Studies, featuring a panel of distinguished Africanist scholars and leaders in the field of African Studies. Pyle Center, 11 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

For a schedule, registration details and other information click here or e-mail events@africa.wisc.edu.